RAS question
In the Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950) case, the Supreme Court held that Article 19(1)(a) includes:
Correct answer: (D) Freedom of the press.
In Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950), the Supreme Court held that Article 19(1)(a)'s freedom of speech and expression includes freedom of the press.
Explanation
Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras is a foundational Article 19(1)(a) case. Although the Constitution does not separately list freedom of the press, the Supreme Court treated it as part of the broader freedom of speech and expression. The judgment explains that freedom of speech and expression includes the freedom to propagate ideas and that circulation is necessary for doing so. A ban on the circulation of a journal therefore directly raised an Article 19(1)(a) issue. For exam purposes, the key point is the Court's method of constitutional interpretation: it read press freedom into freedom of speech and expression rather than locating it in a standalone press clause.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The right to information was not the holding in Romesh Thappar; that development is associated with S.P. Gupta, whereas this 1950 case concerned press freedom and a restriction on the circulation of a journal.
- (B) The right to broadcast was not decided in Romesh Thappar. The case dealt with speech, expression, and the circulation of ideas through the press; broadcasting was recognised later.
- (C) The right to commercial advertisements was not the subject of Romesh Thappar; that doctrine is associated with Tata Press, not with this Article 19(1)(a) press-freedom case.
Concept
This question tests the scope of Article 19(1)(a), especially how the Supreme Court treats specific expressive freedoms as implicit in freedom of speech and expression. It recurs in RAS because press freedom, reasonable restrictions, and landmark rights cases are standard Indian Polity themes.